Fire-boat.



PATENTED APR. 24, 1906.

L. NIKON.

FIRE BOAT.

APPLICATION FILED No.2?, 1904. RBNBWBD MAR.24,1906.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEIVIS NIKON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FIRE-BOAT.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented April 24, 1906.

Be it known that I, LEwis N IxoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at 22 East Fifty-third street, New York city, New York county, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Boats, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in so-called fire-boats.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved construction whereby the vessel may be quickly gotten under way and propelled without danger very close to the scene of conflagration, whereat the pumping apparatus may be brought into play and a powerful stream of water directed into the fire.

Another object is to provide a simple means for preventing injury to the vessel from external heat such as would ordinarily seriously endanger it. By the use of this means the vessel may be brought into and maintained in closer proximity to thefire than would otherwise be possible, and hence to that extent the efficiency of the vessel as a fire-fighting machine is increased.

Another object is to provide a water-distributing nozzle of large caliber and capacity and to so locate the same upon the vessel that the recoil or reaction of a powerful stream of water therefrom when directed laterally of the vessel will not tend to throw the vessel oilI its course when moving or swing her when standing still. By this arrangement the operator can readily maintain the stream upon a definite spot without being constantly on the alert to correct the aim of the nozzle by reason of any change in the position of the boat, such as would otherwise be produced by the aforesaid reaction. This feature of the invention is of more conspicuous importance in the smaller fire-boats of comparatively light displacement and draft. It is to this type of fire-fighting vessels that I have directed my particular attention, because the field of usefulness for such a vessel is vastly greater than that now occupied. Such a vessel may be propelled into small inlets and canals, under bridges, and elsewhere, where the usual fire-boats could not be navigated. n l

In the accompanymg drawings, Figure l 1s a side elevation conventionally illustrating a fire-boat constructed to embody this invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

l is the hull, which may be of any appropriate design. The deck of the vessel is preferably made with a pronounced crown, so that the side edges will extend close down to the waters edge. Extending around the deck and inclosing the working space is a hollow hand-rail 2, which not only acts as a protection to those working on the boat, but is also utilized as a water-pipe, whereby jets or streams of water may be played upon the vessel from stem to stern and from side to side to form a pinafore of protecting-streams.

3 is the main nozzle or water tower, mounted in any suitable way and arranged so that it may be aimed in any desired direction. This nozzle is located on the deck in a position near a point directly over the center of lateral resistance of the hull, with the result that if a stream is being directed therefrom over the side of the boat the reaction will not tend to swing the vessel and destroy the aim. The substantial benefits and advantages of this particular location of the main distributing-nozzle will be most appreciated upon a vessel of comparatively small displacement and draft, although, of course, size is immaterial.

4 is a tower, from which may project one or more hose-plugs 4, to which the ordinary fire-hose may be attached in the usual way, so that the pumping apparatus of the vessel may be utilized for throwing additional' streams of water.

5 is a pilot-house, preferably formed of two thicknesses of steel separated to form an air chamber or space.

In the preferred construction I have employed a so-called gas-engine as the source of power, first, because such an engine is ready for instantaneous work, and second, because it develops relatively large power at the cost of comparatively little displacement. This engine is indicated at 6 by dotted lines.

7 indicates a clutch whereby the engine may bc coupled with the propeller-screw S.

9 indicates a clutch whereby the engine may be coupled with the pumping apparatus 10. The pumping apparatus is in suitable communication with the hollow hand-rail 2, the nozzle 3, and the `fire-plugs 41.

No attempt has been made to illustrate the detailed connections or valves that it would be desirable to use therein, since these details forni no part of this invention.

The main engine-shaft, the propeller-shaft, and the pump-shaft are all arranged, prefer- IOO IIO

ably, in a direct line, thereby greatly adding to the simplicity of construction and the reliability of operation.

ll is a hose-reel, one or more of which may be located in suitable parts of the vessel, for eXample, in the rear compartment, as shown.

1la is a hatch which when removed permits the hose to be withdrawn.

12 is a tank or compartment for the storage of fuel. When liquid fuel is employed, it is preferable that this tank should be surrounded by a jacket of water.

The vessel is preferably of steel construction, since for its intended use better results are obtained thereby. The pumpingv apparatus may be employed While the vessel is being propelled lor while at rest.

By my improvements an eective firefighting machine of this type may be obtained and maintained at comparatively low cost.

By the term water-tower or nozzle l mean a nozzle of such size relatively to the boat upon which it is used that the recoil in the normal use of the nozzle would be sufficient to throw the boat off its course or swing it, in case it were mounted in bow or stern. By my arrangement this large nozzle may be employed effectively and this, danger avoided. lt should also be understood that the nozzle referred to in the claims is not an ordithe same, perforations in said rail through which jets of water may be forced to form a pinafore of protecting-streams.

3. ln a fire-boat, the combination of a gasengine, a pump, a clutch connection with said gas-engine, a centrally-located rigidly mounted main nozzle, and automatic means for throwing and distributing water from said pump to cool the decks.

4. In a lire-boat, the combination of a gasengine, a crank-shaft, a propeller, a waterpump, a centrally-located rigidly-mounted main nozzle, and clutch connections between said crank-shaft and said propeller and said water-pump, whereby either or both may be operated by said gas-engine or disconnected therefrom for the purpose specified.

LEWIS NIKON.

Witnesses:

R. C. MITCHELL, L. VRnELA-ND. 

